Northern Red Oak
Arbor Walk #58, TreeKeeper ID #1566
This fast-growing oak is known for its hardy dark green leaves that turn bright red in the fall. This Midwest native’s beautiful dense crown provides good shade, and along with its ability to tolerate air pollution and drought, has made it a landscaping favorite.
The Northern Red Oak is a member of the subgenus of red oaks. These oaks are distinguishable from other oaks from their awns (soft bristles) at the ends of leaf lobes, their orange hairs on the leaf underside at vein intersections, and their dark, ridged bark.
| Common Name | Northern Red Oak |
|---|---|
| Latin Name | Quercus rubra |
| Indigenous Name(s) | Miami: maamhkatiaahkatwi |
| Cultivar/Variety | |
| Commercial Name |
Global Distribution
GPS Coordinates
N/A
Percent Concrete
N/A
Distance to Buildings
| Year | Close Building #1 | Close Building #2 | Close Building #3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Givens Hall, 12 m | Steinberg Hall, 17.03 m | Weil Hall, 52.92 m |
Distance to Other Species
| Year | Close Species #1 | Close Species # 2 | Close Species # 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Flowering Crabapple, 7.17 m | European Beech, 14.38 m | Chinkapin Oak, 15.83 m |
Standard Measurements
| Year | Height (m) | DBH (cm) | Caliper (m) | Crown Diameter N-S (m) | Crown Diameter E-W (m) | Average Crown Diameter (m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 12.1786 | 26.8 | N/A | 7.5 | 8.6 | 8.05 |
| 2023 | 13.9 | 31.8 | N/A | 9.02 | 9.71 | 9.365 |
Nests and Pests
| Year | Description |
|---|---|
| 2020 | Lots of green and grey lichen on trunk bark Young fungal growth: a very small heartrot-shaped plate with white fibrous, silk-like roots |
| 2023 | Squirrel nest |
Leaf Identification
The leaves of the Northern Red Oak are simple, alternate, dull and green. Their shape is oblong with 7-11 pointed lobes that each have an awn (bristle-tip).
Twig and Bud Identification
The twigs are curved, reddish brown and have multiple brown terminal buds.
Bark Identification
The bark is gray, with furrows that resemble ski tracks.
Fruit Identification
The fruits of the Northern Red Oak are ovoid acorns, 3/4″-1 1/4″, with a flat, shallow cup.
Flower Identification
The flowers of the Northern Red Oak are monoecious with yellow hanging male catkins and small female flowers with red styles.
Oak ID Tips
- Compared to other similar-looking red oaks, such as Shumard Oak, Scarlet Oak, or Northern Pin Oak, the leaf sinuses are much more shallow on the Northern Red Oak.
- The base of the Northern Red Oak is symmetrical, unlike the Black Oak.
- The Northern Red Oak also has a large leaf compared to other red oaks.
